The Texas Department of State Health Services has submitted the first week’s allocation of COVID-19 vaccine to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The first week’s allocation is 224,250 doses of the Pfizer vaccine to be shipped to 109 hospitals in 34 counties as early as the week of Dec. 14, depending on when the vaccine is authorized for use in the United States, according to DSHS.
Baylor Scott and White Medical Center in Temple is expected to receive 3,900 doses in the first week's allocation, according to the plan.Providence Health - Providence Health Center and Baylor Scott White Med Ctr Hillcrest will receive 975 doses each.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - College Station is also expected to receive 975 doses in week 1.
The initial vaccine supply is limited, and the first week’s allocation is based on information submitted by vaccine providers when they enrolled, including the number of health care workers who can be quickly vaccinated and vaccine storage capacity at each site.
The minimum order for the Pfizer vaccine is 975 doses.
#COVID19TX Vaccine Distribution Update. DSHS submitted the first week’s allocation of the #COVID19 vaccine to the @CDCgov.
Learn more about this allocation and Texas' guiding principles for distributing the vaccine: https://t.co/XOI013e6XK#HealthyTexas pic.twitter.com/ix7Wu9p8qh
— Texas DSHS (@TexasDSHS) December 4, 2020
More vaccine will be available for more providers in the following weeks, including vaccine from Moderna once it is authorized.
"The allocation strategy was recommended by the Expert Vaccine Allocation Panel in line with its guiding principles and health care workers definition and approved by DSHS Commissioner John Hellerstedt, MD," DSHS said.
"The panel put a priority on health care workers to protect those caring for COVID-19 patients and preserve the health care system’s ability to function."
DSHS has submitted the first version of the Texas COVID-19 Vaccination Plan to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The plan provides a framework for the allocation and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine in Texas.
The CDC has not yet approved the plan, according to DSHS, and it will be updated based on CDC feedback and as additional information about vaccine development and availability is received.
